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DDDDD OOO OOO RRRRR BBBBB AA SSS EEEEEEE
D D O O O O R R B B A A S S E
D D O O O O R R B B A A S E
D D O O O O R R B B A A S E
D D O O O O RRRRR BBBBB AAAAAAAA SSS EEEEE
D D O O O O R R B B A A S E
D D O O O O R R B B A A S E
D D O O O O R R B B A A S S E
DDDDD OOO OOO R R BBBBB A A SSS EEEEEEE
THE Remote dBASE Access Solution for BBS Operators
Version 1.0a
February 11, 1989
Copyright 1989 by:
Steven R. Kling
SysOp of
Technopeasants' EAST
(301) 927-4258
and
Michael J. Kelly
SysOp of
Technopeasants' WEST
(503) 257-7070
Both PC Pursuitable
Another Fine TechnoWare Program
Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
INTRODUCTION 3
What Is DoorBase? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
What Is TechnoWare? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
DoorBase's Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
DoorBase's Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
What's New in This Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
DISTRIBUTION AND REGISTRATION 5
Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Registration of DoorBase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SET-UP AND OPERATION 6
Files in DOORBASE.ARC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Filenames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Run the BBS Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
CUSTOMIZING DOORBASE 8
Necessary Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
DoorBase Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Database Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Title Display Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Search Key Prompt Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Data Display Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
BATch Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Common Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
- 1 -
Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
RUNNING FROM THE BULLETIN BOARD 18
MULTIPLE DATABASES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
SYSOP ON-LINE OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
SUPPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
DBASE ALTERNATIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
APPENDIX I (Support Files Structure) . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
- 2 -
Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
WHAT IS TECHNOWARE?
---- -- -----------
TechnoWare is by the Technopeasants for Technopeasants.
There are two kinds of Technopeasants:
1. The technological technopeasant is someone that has
trouble dealing with computers and other advanced forms
of technology.
2. The economic technopeasant is someone that appreciates
what technology can do for him/her, but cannot afford
to spend a lot on it.
TechnoWare, therefore, is designed with both in mind. In other
words, TechnoWare is written to be easy to understand and easy on
the pocketbook.
Steven R. Kling Michael J. Kelly
SysOp and Head Technopeasant SysOp and Head Technopeasant
Technopeasants' East RBBS Technopeasants' WEST
(301) 927-4258 (503) 257-7070
WHAT IS DOORBASE?
---- -- ---------
DoorBase is a door that allows RBBS (CPC 15.1C or above), PCBoard,
WILDCAT!, or QuickBBS SysOps to set up a indexed dBASE III database
on-line for display and editing. In this first, general release,
adding or editing records is not implemented, but this feature has
already been designed and is under test.
DoorBase supports COM1 through COM4 and is usable in the local
(console) mode. Although untested, it should support multi-node
operation, but it may not work if accessed from two nodes at once.
True multi-node operation should be available by the summer of '89.
- 3 -
Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
DOORBASE'S FEATURES
---------- --------
As noted, DoorBase allows Bulletin Board System Operators to put a
indexed dBASE III Plus on-line for their users. DoorBase's features
are listed below.
* Use of up to 25 fields.
* Support of Character, Date and Numeric fields. Logical fields
can be used but no logic is supported.
* dBASE-like BROWSE mode
* Total SysOp definition of Title Screen (up to 21 lines)
* Total SysOp definition of Data Input Screen (up to 24 lines)
* Total SysOp definition of Data Output Screen (up to 22 lines)
* Total Sysop control of which fields are output to the user
* Support of field lengths of up to 254 characters
* Easily used off-line (local console mode)
DOORBASE'S LIMITS
---------- ------
DoorBase, in this first general distribution version, has the
following limits:
* Limited to 25 fields. Your database may have more, but DoorBase
will not use them.
* Does not support Logical fields (soon to be added) or Memo fields
(under consideration).
* Supports only one index at a time. A two-index version is under
test at this time and more are under consideration.
* Only 25 phrases may be included on any screen.
As users report their requirements to us, we will add more to the
system.
- 4 -
Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
WHAT'S NEW IN THIS VERSION
------ --- -- ---- -------
If you've seen or used the preliminary DoorBase 1.0, the improve-
ments should please you.
The date conversion bug has been fixed, dates now print in normal
English rather than in the standard dBASE eight figure manner.
Fields not chosen for display no longer have to be hidden or
covered over.
Lines longer then the screen width now print where you want them to
and word wrap (default right margin 78).
DISTRIBUTION
------------
DOORBASE.ARC may be freely distributed by Users Groups and Bulletin
Boards provided that all files as listed below are included, that none
are modified, and that no additional files are added.
Commercial vendors of Public Domain and ShareWare software may
distribute DoorBase and accompanying files ONLY after receiving
written permission. Permission will normally be granted, but we MUST
know that you are distributing it to ensure that you have the latest
version.
REGISTRATION OF DOORBASE
------------ -- --------
Doorbase is not a Public Domain program; it is Copyright, 1989 by
Steven Kling and Michael Kelly. It is offered under the ShareWare
concept of software distribution. The ShareWare concept allows you to
use DoorBase for a reasonable amount of time and test its capabil-
ities. If you find it useful, however, and continue to use it, you
MUST register.
Because we believe that software should not be expensive, your
minimum cost for THIS version (1.0a) of DoorBase is $10.00. For your
money, you'll get a single-user licence to use this version of the
software, and we'll mail you a disk with your BBS's name in place of
the "Support ShareWare" display.
The cost of a full registration is $35.00. For this you will be
granted a single-user license to Doorbase, a one year subscription to
both home BBSes of DoorBase (allowing you access to any and all
registered user upgrades), and the next major upgrade mailed to you at
no cost.
- 5 -
Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
If you use DoorBase, you must register!
Commercial, multi-user licenses available at reasonable rates upon
request to Steven Kling.
Send all registrations to:
Steven R. Kling
4009 Utah Ave.
Brentwood, MD 20722
FILES IN DOORBASE.ARC
----- -- ------------
Your DOORBASE.ARC should contain the following files:
BBS.BAT - BATch file to run DoorBase with the BBS database
locally
BBS.DBF - Sample database of Washington D.C. area BBS's
BBS_NAME.NDX - Sample index for BBS.DBF
BBS_BASE.DEF - DoorBase definition file for BBS.DBF
BBS_DATA.DEF - Data dictionary for BBS.DBF
BBS_DISP.DAT - Data display screen for BBS.DBF
BBS_NDX.DAT - Search key prompt screen for BBS.DEF
BBSTITLE - Title screen for BBS.DBF
CALLINFO.BBS - Sample Door information file (QuickBBS in this case)
DBASE10A.DOC - Documentation for DoorBase (you're reading it)
DOORBASE.EXE - The DoorBase program
FILES.BAT - BATch file to run DoorBase with the FILES database
locally
FILES.DBF - Sample database of BBS-related files
FILEBASE.DEF - DoorBase definition file for FILES.DBF
FILEDATA.DEF - Data dictionary for FILES.DBF
FILEDISP.DAT - Data display screen for FILES.DBF
FILE_NDX.DAT - Search key prompt screen for FILES.DBF
- 6 -
Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
FILETITL - Title screen for FILES.DBF
PROGNAME.NDX - Sample index for FILES.DBF
READ.ME - Description of DOORBASE.DOC and may contain any
late additions to the documentation
If the DOORBASE.ARC/PAK that you downloaded does not contain all of
these files, notify the SysOp of the bulletin board you got it from
that the board is distributing an illegal file.
FILENAMES
---------
In addition to a dBASE III database and index files, DoorBase
requires several support files to run. It is suggested that all of
the related files for each database have filenames that start with the
same three or four letters. In the examples given in this document-
ation, you will often see filenames such as "xxxxDATA.DEF". The
"xxxx" represents those three or four common letters and you should
substitue letters of your own choosing.
RUN THE SAMPLES
--- --- -------
To understand what DoorBase will do, run it with one of the sample
databases first without making any changes. UnARC'd right "out of the
box", DoorBase is set up to run both sample databases off-line.
Simply unARC Doorbase, preferably into a separate subdirectory. Then
switch to that subdirectory and start DoorBase by typing 'BBS' to run
the BBS database or by typing "FILES" to run the FILES database.
This will allow you to acquaint yourself with the capabilities of
the program. Try all of the features; they should be self-explanatory.
Once you have familiarized yourself with DoorBase's operation, you can
set up the support files for your own database.
The next section which will take you through make up of the DoorBase
support files using the definition and data files for both of the
databases as examples. This should provide you with the knowledge
necessary to customizing DoorBase for your purposes.
If you want to put one of these databases on-line and are exper-
ienced with Doors, just change the xxxBASE.DEF (page xx) to reflect
your type of BBS and write the appropriate bat files to run this
on-line.
- 7 -
Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
CUSTOMIZING DOORBASE
----------- --------
To run DoorBase with any dBASE III compatible database, you must
create six support files. These files are very simple to setup, so
don't get overwhelmed by the documentation.
Once you have written these files, they must be saved in ASCII
format. Most word processors have this capability, so if you aren't
sure how to do it, check your word processor's documentation.
Most of the files that DoorBase requires must end in a character.
That is they can not end with a Carriage Return/Line Feed or a blank
line!
NECESSARY FILES
--------- -----
You should provide your database with definition and data files
with names that are related but unique to the database. The files for
the sample databases all started with BBS for the BBS database and
FILE for the FILES database.
The support files that DoorBase needs are:
* A DoorBase Definition file (xxxxBASE.DEF suggested). This file
contains information about your Bulletin Board and the next four
files.
* A Database Definition file (xxxxDATA.DEF suggested). This file
contains information about the database and index files.
* A Title Screen Data file (xxxxTITL suggested). This file is the
opening screen that your users will see.
* A Search Key Prompt Screen file (xxxxNDX.DAT suggested). This
file provides your users with the information they need to find
the information they want.
* A Data Display Screen file (xxxxDISP.DAT suggested). This file
is how the users will see the database records.
* A BATch file to invoke DoorBase (xxxx.BAT suggested).
Before starting to write any of these files, you should know what
you will name the files and have all other information ready.
NOTE: DoorBase will accept UPPER or lower case for all of the
set-up files.
- 8 -
Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
DOORBASE DEFINITION
-------- ----------
The first text file to write is the DoorBase Definition file
(xxxxBASE.DEF). It is perhaps the simplest file and contains 11 lines:
1) SYSOP's First Name
2) SYSOP's Last Name
3) Path\filename of the appropriate User Information File
(DORINFO1.DEF, PCBOARD.SYS, etc.)
4) COM PORT ALL CAPS with no COLON (COM1, COM2, COM3 or COM4)
5) Name of the BBS
6) Path\filename of the Data Definition file (created below)
7) Path\filename of Title Screen Data file (created below)
8) Path\filename of Search Key Prompt Screen file (created below)
9) Path\filename of Data Display Screen file (created below)
10) Number of minutes without user input before log off
11) Maximum number of minutes allowed in the door
1) and 2) are your first and last names as you want them to appear
to your users. Any combination of upper and lower case is
acceptable.
3) is simply "CALLINFO.BBS" in the samples. To put a database
on-line, DoorBase must have the full path and filename of the
appropriate User Information File. My DoorBase Definition files
have:
"C:\RBBS\DORINFO1.DEF",
yours will vary, depending on what type of Bulletin Board System
you are using and where you have it located.
4) is the communications port that your Bulletin Board's modem
uses. It must be all UPPER CASE and must NOT end with a colon.
5) is the name of your Bulletin Board as you want your users to
see it. Any combination of upper and lower case is acceptable.
6) is the full path and filename of the database's Database
Definition file (xxxxDATA.DEF). If this file will be in your
DoorBase subdirectory, the path may be omitted. As I have
several databases on-line, I keep my DoorBase databases in a
separate subdirectory specifically for those databases. My
DoorBase Definition files contain:
"C:\DATABASE\xxxxDATA.DEF"
7) is the full path and filename of the database's Title Screen
file (xxxxTITL). If this file will be in your DoorBase sub-
directory, the path may be omitted. My DoorBase Definition
files contain:
- 9 -
Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
"C:\DATABASE\xxxxTITL"
8) is the full path and filename of the database's Search Key Prompt
Screen file (xxxxNDX.DAT). If this file will be in your DoorBase
subdirectory, the path may be omitted. My DoorBase Definition
files contain:
"C:\DATABASE\xxxxNDX.DAT"
9) is the full path and filename of the database's Data Display
Screen file (xxxDISP.DAT). If this file will be in your DoorBase
subdirectory, the path may be omitted. My DoorBase Definition
files contain:
"C:\DATABASE\xxxxDISP.DAT"
10) is the number of minutes that DoorBase should wait without user
input before it logs the user off and returns to the Bulletin
Board. 3 is suggested. This line should contain only a number.
11) is the maximum number of minutes that a user may remain in
DoorBase per session. 20 is suggested for a typical database,
but may certainly vary depending on the size and complexity of
the database.
This line should contain only a number.
DATABASE DEFINITION
-------- ----------
The Database Definition (xxxxDATA.DEF) file will contain three to 27
lines, depending on the number of fields that your database contains.
The Database Definition file for the BBS database looks like this:
Line Actual
Number Data
------ ----
1) BBS.DBF
2) BBS_NAME.NDX
3) 1,18,0
4) 1,20,0
5) 1,12,0
6) 1,2,0
7) 1,5,0
8) 1,3,0
9) 1,3,0
10) 1,4,0
11) 1,40,0
1) is the full path and filename of database. Since the BBS data-
base currently resides in the same subdirectory as DoorBase, the
path has been omitted. If your database will be in the subdir-
- 10 -
Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
ectory as DoorBase, the path may be omitted. As I have several
databases on-line, I keep them in a separate subdirectory.
Since this database is a fragment of one of my databases, this
line in my BBS_DATA.DEF is:
"C:\DATABASE\BBS.DBF".
2) is the full path and filename of database's index. Since the BBS
database currently resides in the same subdirectory as DoorBase,
the path has been omitted. If your database will be in the
subdirectory as DoorBase, the path may be omitted. As I have
several databases on-line, I keep them in a separate subdirectory.
Since this database is a fragment of one of my databases, this line
in my BBS_DATA.DEF is:
"C:\DATABASE\BBS_NAME.NDX".
3) and all of the remaining lines (up to line 27) list the structure
of your database. These lines all have the same format.
You will need to know the "structure" of your database to properly
provide the information. With dB3+, the simplest way to get a
hard copy of the database's structure is, using ASSIST, go to the
TOOLS section, select 'LIST STRUCTURE' and answer yes to the print
request prompt.
We are not familiar enough (yet) with the dBASE clones to tell
you how to get this information from them, other than to suggest
you have a pencil and paper handy. For each field in your data-
base, you will need to know the type of field (Character, Numeric,
Date, or Logic), the length of the field, and the number of
decimal places (0 if not Numeric).
A dBASE printout of the structure of BBS.DBF looks like this:
Field Field Name Type Width Dec
1 BBS_NAME Character 18
2 SYSOP Character 20
3 CITY Character 12
4 STATE Character 2
5 TYPE Character 5
6 AREA_CODE Character 3
7 PREFIX Character 3
8 NUMBER Character 4
9 COMMENTS Character 40
** Total ** 108
Each field definition line has three parts, separated by commas.
These parts are:
Field type, field length, decimal places
- 11 -
Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
Field type is defined with a numeric value:
1 for character field
2 for numeric fields
3 for date fields
4 for logical fields (not implemented at this time)
Field length is the number of characters in the field (same as
dBASE)
Decimal places is the number of decimal places in the field.
Character, date, and logical will have a 0 here.
Line 3 of the Database Definition for the BBS database contains
the information for the the first field (BBS_NAME):
Actual
Data Explanation
----- -----------
1,8,0 [Character, length 8, 0 decimal]
The lines for the remaining fields are:
1,20,0 [Character, length 20, 0 decimal]
1,12,0 [Character, length 6, 0 decimal]
1,2,0 [Character, length 2, 0 decimal]
1,5,0 [Character, length 5, 0 decimal]
1,3,0 [Character, length 3, 0 decimal]
1,3,0 [Character, length 3, 0 decimal]
1,4,0 [Character, length 4, 0 decimal]
1,40,0 [Character, length 40, 0 decimal]
The Database Definition file for the FILES database looks like:
Line Actual
Number Data Explanation
------ ---- -----------
1) FILES.DBF Name of database
2) PROGNAME.NDX Name of database index
3) 1, 8, 0 [Character, length 8, 0 decimal]
4) 1, 3, 0 [Character, length 3, 0 decimal]
5) 2, 6, 0 [Numeric, length 6, 0 decimal]
6) 3, 8, 0 [Date, length 8, 0 decimal]
7) 1, 18, 0 [Character, length 18, 0 decimal]
8) 1, 18, 0 [Character, length 18, 0 decimal]
9) 1, 20, 0 [Character, length 20, 0 decimal]
10) 1, 11, 0 [Character, length 11, 0 decimal]
- 12 -
Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
11) 3, 8, 0 [Data, length 8, 0 decimal]
12) 3, 8, 0 [Date, length 8, 0 decimal]
13) 4, 1, 0 [Logical, length 1, 0 decimal]
14) 4, 1, 0 [Logical, length 1, 0 decimal]
15) 4, 1, 0 [Logical, length 1, 0 decimal]
16) 1, 43, 0 [Character, length 43, 0 decimal]
17) 1, 254, 0 [Character, length 254, 0 decimal]
When you compare this Database Definiton file to the one for the BBS
database, you immediately notice that this one has spaces in it. Any
number of spaces may be added to enhance readability.
Again, lines 1) and 2) may have the path of the database and index
file omitted only if they will be in the same subdirectory as DoorBase.
Lines three through 17 are descriptions of each field in the data-
base as explained above.
TITLE DISPLAY SCREEN
----- ------- ------
The Title Display Screen (xxxxDISP.DAT) is the opening screen that
is shown to users when they first enter DoorBase. It may contain any
ASCII character (including IBM high-bit characters). It may NOT,
however, contain any ANSI strings (color, blinking characters, etc).
Its only other restriction is that it can not have more than 22 lines
(it can have less); the bottom lines are reserved for use by DoorBase.
The Title Display Screen can have any information that you wish to
convey to the user, but we suggest that it contain the your Bulletin
Board's name and a "title" which explains what the database contains.
Take a look at the files BBSTITLE and FILETITL. They look just as
the user will see them.
SEARCH KEY PROMPT SCREEN
------ --- ------ ------
The Search Key Prompt Screen (xxxxNDX.DAT) tells the user what
he/she needs to know to enter an appropriate search key. Every line in
the Search Key Prompt Screen has the same format:
Row, Column, "Phrase"
Row is the row number to place the text on
Column is the column number to place the text on
"Phrase" is what you want to show the user. It MUST be in
quotes.
- 13 -
Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
**************** IMPORTANT NOTE ********************
* *
* All Rows MUST be between 1 and 24. *
* *
* All columns MUST be between 1 to 80. *
* *
* If you use values outside these ranges, or *
* if it extends beyond the right margin, *
* then it will not display correctly. *
* *
****************************************************
The Search Key Prompt Screen may have up to 24 lines of text.
DoorBase will place the cursor at the end of the last line in the
file, waiting for search key input from the user. For this reason,
most Search Key Prompt Screen files will have the lines out of order.
The Search Key Prompt Screen for the BBS database (BBS_NDX.DAT)
looks like this:
13,5,"Enter the name of the BBS that you wish to look up. If you"
14,5,"don't know the exact name, just enter the first one or two"
15,5, "letters in the name that you wish to find."
19,5, "<Enter places you at the top of the database>"
17,25, "Enter the name of the BBS: "
Note that the order of the last two lines is reversed; the last
line prints on line (row) 17, while the second-to-last line prints on
line (row) 19. Also note the final space following the colon in the
last line. Without that space, the cursor would print in the column
immediately following the colon.
The Search Key Prompt Screen for the FILES database (FILE_NDX.DAT)
looks like this:
10, 5, "Enter the name of the file that you want further information"
11, 5, "about. If you don't remember the exact name, just enter the"
12, 5, "first few letters of the file name."
13, 5 "Enter only the file name, omitting the extension (.ARC)."
17,5, "<Enter places you at the top of the database>"
15,15, "Enter the file name you want: "
- 14 -
Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
DATA DISPLAY SCREEN
---- ------- ------
The Data Display Screen (xxxxDISP.DAT) displays the database data to
your users. Each line has the same structure:
Field number, Row, Column, "Phrase"
* The field number is the number listed for the desired field and can
be obtained using the dBASE command "list structure." DoorBase
will display only those fields that you tell it to in this file.
You may have the data fields in any order.
* Row is the row number to place the text on
* Column is the column number to place the text on
* "Phrase" is what you want to show the user. It MUST be in quotes.
The field is displayed immediately after the "Phrase".
It is possible to display anything that you want on the screen by
using the above format by starting the Data Display Screen file line
with a "0" instead of a field number. This will place the "Phrase" at
the specified Row, Column without a field being displayed.
The Data Display Screen file for the BBS database (BBS_DISP.DAT)
looks like this:
0,3,15, "Technopeasant's database of Bulletin Boards"
1,5,10, "BBS NAME: "
2,5,45, "SYSOP: "
3,7,10, "CITY: "
4,7,30, "STATE: "
5,7,45, "BBS TYPE: "
6,9,25, "Phone Number: ("
7,9,43, ")-"
8,9,48, "-"
9,13,13, "Comments: "
Pretty straight forward. Fields 6, 7, and 8 are the telephone area
code, prefix, and last four digits respectively.
- 15 -
Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
The Data Display Screen file for the FILES database looks like this:
1, 4, 4, "File name: "
2, , , "."
3, 5, 4, "Size: "
4, 6, 4, "File date: "
5, 7, 4, "Author last name: "
6, 8, 4, "Author first name: "
7, 9, 4, "Category: "
9, 10, 4, "Date on board: "
10, 11, 4, "Date deleted: "
11, 12, 4, "On board? (T = Yes, F = No): "
12, 13, 4, "Tested? (T = Yes, F = No): "
13, 14, 4, "Has docs? (T = Yes, F = No): "
14, 15, 4, "Description: "
15, 16, 4, "Notes: "
DoorBase will accept spaces in the xxxxDISP.DAT file. This one has
spaces added to enhance its readability.
Note the second line. If you want to put something immediately
after a field, leave out the Row and Column.
Fields 11, 12, and 13 are Logical fields. Although DoorBase does
not really support Logical fields, they will print out. If you use
them, they should probably have added explanations as in the example.
We are working on further support of the Logical fields.
The last field is a long text field (254 characters - the maximum
allowed by dBASE III Plus). I use this field somewhat like the
extended description that RBBS offers for file listings. Fields longer
than 80 characters are word-wrapped by DoorBase, and each subsequent
line starts directly under the beginning of the field data (not the
"Phrase"). For this reason, if you are using long fields, they should
be displayed last, otherwise, you will be left with empty space in the
middle of your display or else the next field will overwrite part of
the long field.
The two examples given are very simple. This display can be
greatly enhanced by using the IBM high-bit graphic characters. You are
limited only by your imagination and the amount of time that you want
to spend.
Before writing your BATch file to invoke your database, you will
find it profitable to run the database locally to check that everything
looks the way you want (it NEVER does for me). I find that "fine
tuning" my displays is the most time consuming thing about getting a
database on-line.
To run your database locally, copy the xxxxBASE.DEF to DOORBASE.DEF
then bring up DoorBase by typing "DOORBASE".
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Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
BATCH FILES
----- -----
The BATch file (xxxx.BAT) to start DoorBase is quite simple.
All BATch file examples will assume that your Bulletin Board System
files are in C:\BBS and that the DoorBase files are in C:\BBS\DOORBASE.
For all baud rates under 9600, the bat file will look something like
this:
CD C:\BBS\DOORBASE
COPY xxxxBASE.DEF DOORBASE.DEF
DOORBASE
CD C:\BBS
The first line is to change to the subdirectory where Doorbase is
located.
The second line copies the DoorBase Definition file (xxxxBASE.DEF)
that you created for your database to filename DOORBASE.DEF, which
is the file that DoorBase looks for.
The third line invokes DoorBase.
The fourth line switches back to the default subdirectory for you
Bulletin Board. With RBBS, the system would be automatically
restarted. If you are using a different system, you need to check
the system's documentation to find out exactly what needs to be done
to get back from a door.
For all baud rates of 9600 and above, a separate bat file for each
baud rate must be made and noted in the door menu file. These BATch
files are nearly the same, but line 3 (which invokes DoorBase) should
be changed to:
DOORBASE /C=9600
for 9600 bps and
DOORBASE /C=19200
for 19,200 bps. This is done to "lock" the modem into the selected
rate of speed and is required by DoorBase.
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Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
COMMON ERRORS
------ ------
The most common error message that you might see is:
Error > 62 File >DoorBase 1.0a Date >(date and time)
If you get this, there's no real problem. What has happened is that
you've ended one of the files you created with something other than,
such as a Carriage Return/Line Feed. Go back to each of the files and
delete everything past the last character of the data that DoorBase
needs.
The other problem that I continually run into is forgetting to close
the phrase that I want to display with a quotation mark. If you forget
to do this, you'll see the Row and Column information for the next line
immediately following the information of the line on which you forgot
the ending quotation mark. To remedy this, just go back and put the
quotation mark in.
RUNNING FROM THE BULLETIN BOARD
------- ---- --- -------- -----
Now you need to add the name of the door to the appropriate menu for
your BBS, for RBBS it would be MENU5. If you're not sure, check the
Bulletin Board System documentation.
MULTIPLE DATABASES
-------- ---------
It's very simple to run multiple databases or a database with
multiple indices. Since each database (or index) has a separate,
uniquely named set of support files, you only need to have a BATch file
for each. For instance, if the FILES database was also indexed by file
date and category the three different doors would use the same database
and could use the same Title Screen Data file. The three sets of files
could be:
Program Name File Date Category
------- ---- ---- ---- --------
FIL1BASE.DEF FIL2BASE.DEF FIL3BASE.DEF
FIL1DATA.DEF FIL2DATA.DEF FIL3DATA.DEF
FILETITL FILETITL FILETITL
FIL1_NDX.DAT FIL2_NDX.DAT FIL3_NDX.DAT
FIL1DISP.DAT FIL2DISP.DAT FIL3DISP.DAT
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Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
and the respective xxxxDATA.DEF files would contain:
FILES.DBF FILES.DBF FILES.DBF
PROGNAME.NDX FILEDATE.NDX CATEGORY.NDX
1, 8, 0 1, 8, 0 1, 8, 0
1, 3, 0 1, 3, 0 1, 3, 0
etc.
SYSOP ON-LINE OPTIONS
----- ------- -------
While in the door, the SysOp has the following options:
F8 = kicks the user out of the door
F9 = turns snoop on/off
F10 = chat with the user
(ESC) terminates chat
SUPPORT
-------
This is a preliminary release, and we will be adding more features
as time permits. If you have any problems setting it up, or the
documentation is unclear, please send one of us a message.
Steven Kling Mike Kelly
Technopeasants' EAST Technopeasants' WEST
(301) 927-4258 (503) 257-7070
DBASE ALTERNATIVES
----- ------------
What if you cannot make your own dBASE files? Both Technopeasants'
East and Technopeasants' WEST are official sources for PC-File:dB, a
ShareWare product from Buttonware. We would suggest that you try it
and see if it fits your needs. Another alternative might be Ward
Mundy's WAMPUM, although we have not tried it.
Steven uses Foxbase at work and owns dBASE, while Mike fools with
dBASE and is a registered user of PC-FILE:dB. But as the definition of
TechnoWare in the Introduction suggests, we realize that not everyone
can afford the most suitable option.
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Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
APPENDIX I (Support Files Structure)
-------- -
DoorBase Definition (xxxxBASE.DEF)
Line Brief Explanation
1 SysOp's First Name
2 SysOp's Last Name
3 Path\filename of BBS's User Information file
4 COM port
5 Name of BBS
6 Path\filename of Data Definition file
7 Path\filename of Title Display Screen file
8 Path\filename of Search Key Prompt Screen file
9 Path\filename of Data Display Screen file
10 Number of minutes without user input before log off
11 Maximum number of minutes allowed in DoorBase
Database Definition (xxxxDATA.DEF)
Line Brief Explanation
1 Path\filename of database
2 Path\filename of database index
3 - 27 Field definitions
Field definition:
a, b, c
a - Field type
1 - Character
2 - Numeric
3 - Date
4 - Logical
b - Field Length
c - Decimal places
Title Display Screen (xxxxDISP.DAT)
Plain ASCII file (high-bit character ok, NO ANSI codes)
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Doorbase Version 1.0a February 11, 1989
Search Key Prompt Screen (xxxxNDX>DAT)
All lines:
Row, Column, "Phrase"
Data Display Screen (xxxxDISP.DAT)
All lines:
Field #, Row, Column, "Phrase"
Substitute a "0" for Field # if "Phrase" is desired without a data
field
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